Effects of balanced propofol sedation on QT, corrected QT, and P-wave dispersion on upper endoscopy.

Objective: Combined sedation with propofol and benzodiazepines, known as balanced propofol sedation (BPS), was developed to increase patient comfort during endoscopy. However, the effects of BPS on P-wave dispersion (Pwd), QT interval, and corrected QT (QTc) interval after endoscopy have not been investigated.

Methods: The study population consisted of 40 patients with BPS and 42 without sedation who were scheduled to undergo upper endoscopy in this cross-sectional prospective study.

Cardiac factors affecting the success of vardenafil in erectile dysfunction.

Background/aim: To evaluate the predictability of vardenafil success in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) by using cardiological tests.

Materials And Methods: Patients diagnosed with ED who did not benefit from lifestyle changes (n = 68) were evaluated with an abridged 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). The pretreatment and posttreatment IIEF-5 scores were compared with pretreatment data obtained from cardiological examinations.

Epicardial fat thickness in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Epidemiologic data indicates that rheumatoid arthritis is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Epicardial adipose tissue is a novel cardio-metabolic risk factor. Our aim was to evaluate epicardial fat thickness (EFT) using echocardiography in patients with rheumatoid arthritis compared to healthy control subjects.

Cancer antigen-125 levels predict long-term mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) might be a useful biomarker to predict long-term mortality in patients with recent exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: A total of 87 consecutive patients with COPD were evaluated prospectively. Mean age of patients was 68 ± 10 years (55% males, 45% females) with a median follow-up period of 49 months.

Iliac arteriovenous fistula presenting with ascites.

Arteriovenous fistula presents rarely with ascites. Diagnosis, with an elusive clinical presentation, is often incidental or delayed. A 35-year-old woman presented with ascites and cardiac decompensation.

Association between liver fibrosis and coronary heart disease risk in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is being increasingly recognized as the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. It has been shown that NAFLD in adults is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Because of the limitations of liver biopsy, noninvasive scoring indexes such as the NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) were developed.

Mean platelet volume is associated with myocardial perfusion defect in diabetic patients.

Aim: Our aim was to evaluate whether there was a relationship between mean platelet volume and myocardial perfusion defect in diabetic patients using myocardial perfusion imaging.

Methods: Forty-four diabetic patients with myocardial perfusion defect (group 1) and 44 diabetic patients without myocardial perfusion defect (group 2), matched for age and gender, were retrospectively examined. Levels of mean platelet volume (MPV) in the two groups were assessed.

Usefulness of admission gamma-glutamyltransferase level for predicting new-onset heart failure in patients with acute coronary syndrome with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Objectives: Our aim was to determine whether there is a relationship between admission gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and subsequent heart failure hospitalizations in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Study Design: We selected 123 patients with newly diagnosed acute coronary syndrome of ejection fraction (EF) <45%. Patients were followed 15±10 months, and the relationship between admission GGT level and hospitalization because of heart failure during the follow-up was examined.

Cardiometabolic risk factors in patients with erectile dysfunction.

Introduction: There is an increasing interest in the association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular risk factor. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with insulin resistance, increased cardiometabolic risk, and coronary artery disease. Our aim was to investigate relationships between epicardial fat thickness (EFT) as a cardiometabolic risk factor and erectile dysfunction.

Is there any relationship between RDW levels and atrial fibrillation in hypertensive patient?

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and increases the risk of stroke and death. Patients with hypertensive have an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation. RDW (Red blood cell distribution width) levels are elevated in cardiovascular disorders including heart failure, stable coronary disease, acute coronary syndrome, slow coronary flow and stroke.

Assessment of atrial electromechanical delay in patients with migraine.

Evidence suggests that symptoms of migraine are related to the involvement of the autonomic nervous system. Data on atrial conduction system are limited in migraineurs. We aimed to assess atrial electromechanical delay using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in patients with migraine.

Detection of atrial electrical and mechanical dysfunction in non-dipper pre-hypertensive subjects.

Introduction: A relationship between atrial conduction time and hypertension was shown in previous studies. Increased atrial electromechanical intervals used to predict atrial fibrillation by measured tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). So we aimed to search if there was any association between the non-dipping status and atrial electromechanical intervals in pre-hypertensive patients.

Evaluation of atrial electromechanical coupling times in hemodialysis patients.

Background: There are no definite data about the atrial electromechanical coupling times (AEMCT) in patients with end stage renal failure (ESRF). The aim of this study was to investigate the AEMCT in ESRF patients without hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus.

Methods: The study population consisted of 47 normotensive, nondiabetic ESRF patients and 41 healthy age/gender-matched control subjects.

What Is the Meaning of Increased Myocardial Injury Enzymes during Hemodialysis? A Tissue Doppler Imaging Study.

Background: Cardiovascular death is decreasing in the general population; however, it appears in still higher rates and even increases gradually in hemodialysis (HD) patients. This situation has led to a debate about cardiovascular adverse effects of HD which lead to significant changes in cardiac and hemodynamic events. It is known that troponins are often elevated in HD patients, and high levels of troponin are associated with increased mortality.

Is atrial electromechanical coupling delayed in patients with secundum atrial septal defect?

Background: There is no available published information about the atrial electromechanical coupling time (AEMCT) in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between ASD and AEMCT obtained by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).

Methods: A total of 35 patients with ASD and 22 healthy controls were included in the study.

Abnormal heart rate recovery in stable heart failure patients.

Background: Heart rate decrease after exercise, that is associated with reactivation of parasympathetic system, is important, as it is also associated with mortality. Previous studies have shown that this is an independent mortality predictor in patients having no coronary artery disease and having normal left ventricular function. In our study, we aimed to study heart rate recovery (HRR) after exercise in patients having impaired left ventricular function.

Increased γ-glutamyl transferase levels predict early mortality in patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Background: Increased γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level is associated with increased oxidative stress, all-cause mortality, the development of cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. However, its role in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between GGT and early mortality in patients with acute PE.

Relationship between HbA₁c and coronary flow rate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and angiographically normal coronary arteries.

Objectives: We examined the relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level and coronary flow rate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and angiographically normal coronary arteries.

Study Design: The study included 54 consecutive patients (36 males, 18 females; age range 37 to 72 years) with type 2 DM, whose coronary arteries were found normal on coronary angiography. All patients underwent echocardiography and plasma HbA1c levels were measured before coronary angiography.